The Age of the Internet Ch. 17

Civic Participation A Tool for Action The Internet has become a vast network of computers across the worldThe Internet has become a vast network of computers across the world –It originally started as a military data network The Internet is primarily as an information gathering deviceThe Internet is primarily as an information gathering device We like to assume that most information is nonpartisanWe like to assume that most information is nonpartisan –The truth is quite the contrary

Civic Participation A Tool for Action The government also has websites to convey informationThe government also has websites to convey information They use these websites to inform citizensThey use these websites to inform citizens –Also, they register voters –Citizens can request absentee ballots –Citizens can also gather representatives platforms

Civic Participation Election Campaigns Every political party, and official has a websiteEvery political party, and official has a website –Find out how they vote Blogging has also become a way for civic participationBlogging has also become a way for civic participation –Citizens can express opinions and participate in politics, before, during and after elections

Challenges for Democracy Divisions in Society Authoritarian gov’ts such as China, due to the spread of ideas and informationAuthoritarian gov’ts such as China, due to the spread of ideas and information –Many websites in these countries have dissident groups that silently protest It also allows for extremist groups to gain power, and recruit new membersIt also allows for extremist groups to gain power, and recruit new members –Ex. Al-Qaeda, and their recruitment tactics via the internet.

Challenges for Democracy Divisions in Society Extremist groups also use the internet to post propaganda.Extremist groups also use the internet to post propaganda. –It allows for splits amongst the nation, as people begin to side only with their ideals

Challenges for Democracy Threats to Privacy The internet allows for some serious problemsThe internet allows for some serious problems –Identity theft, etc. Current laws don’t fully protect against all internet crimesCurrent laws don’t fully protect against all internet crimes It also allows the government plenty of ways to survey or watch societyIt also allows the government plenty of ways to survey or watch society

Regulating the Internet Internet Speech People have the rights to block certain websites that they don’t want to viewPeople have the rights to block certain websites that they don’t want to view Naturally people have tried to argue against internet censorshipNaturally people have tried to argue against internet censorship –Reno v. ACLU (1997)

Regulating the Internet Internet Speech People also have rights to their intellectual propertiesPeople also have rights to their intellectual properties –Downloading songs is an example –File sharing still a hot issue The Pirate Bay is still active despite numerous lawsuitsThe Pirate Bay is still active despite numerous lawsuits

Regulating the Internet The Internet in School In the year 2000 Congress passed the Children’s Internet Protection ActIn the year 2000 Congress passed the Children’s Internet Protection Act –This requires all schools to block questionable websites Some students and parents fight this, others love this ideaSome students and parents fight this, others love this idea –Should parents have access to internet histories?